Matisyahu's Jewish Mentality Towards Reggae

Many critics around the world hail Jewish Rapper Matisyahu as Reggae current superstar. His debut album on J-Dub Records, was a timely novelty album that grasped the white American soundscape as a sugar free alternative to what was being cropped from Jamaica at the time.

With the eminent rise of Dancehall to the ears and eyes of mainstream America, coupled with its uncomfortably fast paced rhythmic baselines, and mile a minute lyrics, many fans of the authentic one drop rockers vibe were left in the dark.
Matisyahu’s entry into the market place filled a void not only for mainstream white America, but also its young ethnic Jewish populace who always listened from a distance, but now had their own inoculated version to identify with.
When the strict regimen of his Hasidic sect began to take toll on wanting to enjoy the luxuries of his new found fame he switched to another Jewish sect, until he himself seems lost of true self.

Now that he has capitalized and exhausted his own Jewish culture, Matisyahu has now turned his sites on the home of reggae, and its culture, to bring back, or to earn a sense of validity as a true to heart reggae artist.

His recent visit to Kingston simply put, was a farce. It was literally a spit in the face of Reggae and its Country. Disrespect, as far as the business of Reggae is concerned.

He came to the land of Reggae and spent seven days, of which 70 percent was spent housed in the high rise of the Hilton Kingston Hotel.

No visit to Bob Marley home. No tribute at his statue. No reasonings with the Gully Gods, not even a pass thru the world reknowned Passa Passa. How the hell you can come to Jamaica, say you are a reggae star, and not go to Passa Passa ?
Unthinkable.

His latest ploy to capitalize on his Jamaican visit has done nothing but push himself further away from the authenticity he seeks from this fraternity, on his mission to take the music to the next level.

How could we even give him recognition, when he has not apologized to the legendary female DJ Sister Carol after refusing to perform after her on stage in Europe, because she was a woman!

You come to Jamaica and don’t even try hit mek a one chat pon the world renowned Stone Love ?

Not even a station ID fi Irie FM??

If this artist knows his worth, he needs to keep his eye on the Rappers prize and leave reggae alone. Because if Is the American gangstas you afraid of, dem will tell you, Shottas don’t play.

Until Next Week.

Gibbi Geraz
The Reggae News Agency

www.riddimja.com